18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18-20

While gazing out my window at our yard blanketed in sparkling snow, God’s existence is undeniable to me. White snowflakes – each a one of a kind masterpiece – that fall gracefully from the sky, have to be the result of more than some random explosion of atoms and particles. Mere science doesn’t create such beauty without the guidance of a Maker’s hand. No, the nature that lies before our very eyes didn’t happen by chance or “fate” but by a God ordained plan forever in the making.

Jesus paid it all…

This white blanket of splendor brings forth a cleansing, a washing, a fresh pure heart. The stains of grass, dirt, weeds and plants are hidden. The patches of dead yellowed grass, the dirt-stained sidewalks, the dull colored roads faded by the sun suddenly disappear as the snow falls in deep piles. In every direction, all around, there is nothing but white. Pure white.

White that shimmers, shines, glitters and reflects light. Even when night comes and darkness falls, a landscape covered in snow still radiates bright. The snow beams a light that cannot be hidden. 

All to Him I owe…

What Jesus Christ brought into this world, from a perfect life to an ugly death on the cross, was pure white light. Christ brought us a fresh start, a clean slate, a shot at purity…much like the cleansing snow brings to a dark winter. Human imperfection & enslavement to sin had left a crimson stain on our hearts and on this world. We could never, even in our greatest efforts, do nearly enough to remove that stain. We will never have the ability to transform a sinful heart into one of purity and perfection worthy of God’s eternity. He already did everything necessary to wash the crimson stain of sin white as snow. 

Sin had left a crimson stain…

And not the yellow variety of snow. Not the snow that has been tainted by environmental factors. But snow in the whitest, purest variety. Snow that you find at the tippy-top of the highest mountains floating in the clouds. Snow that hasn’t seen pollution, or a dirty yard, or the soles of old shoes. Untouched, untainted snow. The whitest of whites…the brightest of brights…with a shimmer and shine that can blind. He washes our stains until they are that kind of clean. 

He washed it white as snow.

Like the classic hymn I have woven through this post, Jesus truly, entirely paid it ALL. And all that we have/are/will be we owe to Him. Because His blood, His perfect sacrifice is the original falling snow… A white washing that buried sin’s filth in piles so deep that the only thing visible in every direction was His shimmering light. Sin’s crimson tide washed white: white as pure, unadulterated snow. 

The stain of sin, covered. Gone. Never to be seen again– for the act of repentance, turning from sinful nature and God’s unending forgiveness keep that stain from reappearing every time we mess up. Jesus shone his brightness to this world and with the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, His light continues to shine through us. Much like the glow-of-snow, even when the sun sets, night falls, and darkness overwhelms the sky, a light for Christ does not disappear. This light is much to bright to hide. It continues to light the pathway to righteousness no matter the time of day. 

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

 -Matthew 5:14

A life in Jesus means staying covered in His blanket of snowy splendor. For all you winter haters out there please don’t run. This doesn’t mean cold misery, frozen fingers and toes, or dangerously slick roads. A snow-covered life represents the opportunity for a fresh start, a clean slate, & a pure heart laid before our feet every morning we are gifted with breath to continue living. A snow-covered life represents the sudden transformation of ugly, Crimson stained hearts into ones of beauty, pure and white. 

  

“1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 

9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. ”

  – Psalm 51:1-10

Lord, I pray to be surrounded, protected & washed in your forgiveness. Teach me to strive for a snow-covered life & obey your commands which will lead to that life. Thank you for washing my sinful heart white as snow & for shedding your blood so that I could have a shot at righteousness with God. I pray for your strength to resist & turn away from sin while I focus all my energy into shining your bright light to this dark world. 

Thank you for my life & your great love. 

I love you, Lord.